Winter Targets
Barnard’s Loop
Type: Supernova remnant/emission nebula
Constellation: Orion
To see this very subtle target within the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, use the lowest possible power and an Hβ filter. You may need to nudge your telescope slightly while viewing the area to notice how the nebulosity moves in the field.
Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118)
Type: Reflection nebula
Constellation: Eridanus
This one’s a real challenge. Located just west of Rigel in Orion, you need a dark site and transparent skies to see it.
Orion’s Belt
Type: Association and emission nebulae
Constellation: Orion
With a 3-inch refractor, you can easily spot the nearby Flame Nebula, as well as hints of the emission nebula IC 434, which harbors the shadowy Horsehead Nebula. The reflection nebula M78 lies just outside the field to the northeast.
NGC 2174 & NGC 2175
Type: Emission nebula and open star cluster
Constellation: Orion
Both of these targets are easy to pick out without an Oxygen-III (OIII) filter.
Rosette Nebula
Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Monoceros
This celestial sight is also visible without filters,but an OIII filter still enhances the view.
Spring Targets
M48 (NGC 2548)
Type: Open star cluster
Constellation: Hydra
From a dark-sky location, you should be able to see this cluster with your naked eye. It is nicely resolved in 2.4- and 3-inch refractors.
M81 (NGC 3031) & M82 (NGC 3034)
Type: Galaxy grouping
Constellation: Ursa Major
Visible in both 2.4- and 3-inch refractors, this view is one of the grandest galaxy pairings in the sky.
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139)
Type: Globular star cluster
Constellation: Centaurus
If you live in the lower 48 states or Hawaii, this is one of the most amazing sights in the sky. It’s easy to see with 2.4- and 3-inch telescopes. Plus, the peculiar galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) is located about 4.5° north, and even sports a dark lane.
Beehive Cluster (M44, NGC 2632)
Type: Open star cluster
Constellation: Cancer
This seasonal treat is easy to pick out and fully resolved with the smallest of scopes. You can even see it with your naked eye under very dark skies.
M65 (NGC 3623) & M66 (NGC 3627)
Type: Galaxy grouping
Constellation: Leo
Can you also pick up hints of a third galaxy nearby, the Hamburger Galaxy (NGC 3628)?
Summer Targets
Eagle & Omega nebulae (M16, M17)
Type: Emission nebulae panorama
Constellation: Serpens & Sagittarius
Both 2- and 3-inch refractors capture the Eagle Nebula and Omega Nebula (M16 and M17, respectively) in the same field of view. The Omega Nebula’s classic check mark shape is readily apparent in a 3-inch scope.
Lagoon & Trifid nebulae (M8, M20)
Type: Emission nebulae panorama
Constellation: Sagittarius
As two of the best emission nebulae visible from the Northern Hemisphere, these targets are easily seen in a single field of view with 2- to 3-inch refractors. Many other open and globular clusters speckle the same area of the sky.
Ptolemy’s Cluster (M7 or NGC 6745)
Type: Open star cluster
Constellation: Scorpius
Ptolemy’s Cluster is a beautiful, fully resolved grouping of stars that can be seen in both 2- and 3-inch refractors. Look for the globular cluster NGC 6453 on its northwest edge and the dark nebulae B286 and B287 to the south. With a wide enough field of view, you can also catch the Butterfly Cluster (M6), located about 3.5° to the northwest.
M22 (NGC 6656), M28 (NGC 6626), NGC 6638
Type: Globular star cluster panorama
Constellation: Sagittarius
Look at Lambda (λ) Sagittarii, the star at the top of the Teapot asterism. In the same field, you will easily find two fine globular star clusters, along with a third that’s more of a challenge.
North America Nebula (NGC 7000)
Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Cygnus
Use your lowest power/widest field-of-view eyepiece and an OIII filter for the best view possible of NGC 7000. The region is about 1° to 2° east-southeast of the bright star Deneb.
Fall Targets
Barnard’s Galaxy (NGC 6822)
Type: Dwarf galaxy
Constellation: Sagittarius
This target is another real challenge. I have seen Barnard’s Galaxy in many other scopes, but in a 3-inch refractor, it appears as a patch of sky that’s just slightly brighter than the background.
Pleiades (M45)
Type: Open star cluster
Constellation: Taurus
At almost 2° wide, the Pleiades (or Seven Sisters) fits nicely in the field of view of both 2- and 3-inch scopes. You should even glimpse the reflection nebulae around the brightest stars; I can usually make out at least two patches.
NGC 253 & NGC 288
Type: Galaxy and globular star cluster pair
Constellation: Sculptor
Also known as the Silver Dollar Galaxy, the spiral NGC 253 fits into the same field of view as the globular NGC 288 when viewed through both 2- and 3-inch refractors.
California Nebula
Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Perseus
At 2.5° in length, you need a wide-field view to pick up this cosmic tribute to the most populous state in the U.S. Use an Hβ filter to achieve the best results.
The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293)
Type: Planetary nebula
Constellation: Aquarius
Wow, this is an exceptionally big planetary nebula! It’s faint, but easy to see without a narrow band filter; however, an OIII filter makes it (and its dimmer central region) more obvious through a 3-inch scope.
Backyard astronomy with a small scope
Source: Trending Update Article
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